I am always curious about what trends other people are watching and what people have their eye on…am I weird? I know what makes me feel good about myself, but I wonder how that aligns with what someone else may like. If you have followed us for a while, then you know that we have shop-able looks that we share with you almost daily. You can also see what we have been buying on Amazon on our influencer page too!
With the long weekend coming up I am grateful for what a chill month August has been. September has a lot going on and in life I feel like you need both busy periods and chill periods to appreciate each for what they are, you know what I mean?
This week was particularly fun since I was able to catch up with several old friends and do some online shopping. There are so many looks I have been lusting after that I finally looked up bucket bags and found one that is just right for me. A look that I also have been rocking a lot are dresses with sneakers. With sales blowing up my inbox, I thought I would share with you what is in my bag and what all is on sale this weekend.
I recently watched an interview with Priyanka Chopra (side note: I’m a HUGE fan). She was talking about what she was wearing to an upcoming red carpet event. She spoke on how when you wear something that you are comfortable in you will exude confidence. Duh! It’s seems so simple, but I know I’ve been guilty of wearing something that might not fit just right and I’m pulling and tugging and it affects the way I carry myself.
Confidence comes in so many forms. In fashion, it’s truly in how you carry yourself and it starts with wearing something that fits your body type. Fashion is so fun, there is no one size fits all approach. There are a few things I look out for when shopping for what’s right for me. Let me start with my body type. I’m 5’8”, 140lbs and an on again off again gym goer. I don’t have a super models body and have what I would consider to be a curvy build. As with many women, there are certain parts of my body I am more comfortable with than others. I don’t love my legs from the knee up so I try to go for midi-length dresses, maxis, capris, jeans or midi skirts. The high waisted trend suits my frame because it gives me the tuck I need while accentuating my waist.
High Waisted Pants
Midi Dresses
Midi DressesHigh Waisted Swim
As women we can often fall prey to what we are “supposed” to look or dress like. If we let go of the expectations and just dressed and acted in the way that was authentic to ourselves we would not only carry ourselves with confidence, but would also inspire others to do the same.
How is it even possible that summer just started and now my trip to Chicago is already almost over! Time really does fly when you are having fun! As some of you may know, I am part of a fabulous book club (shout out to the Guilty Wives Club) and as I do every summer I take on a summer reading list with a combination of best sellers, recommendations and this year I have included some self exploration too! As a woman I constantly second guess myself as an individual, as a wife, and of course as a mother. I am always wondering if there is a better way to do what I am doing or how I can make sure that I am giving my kids the tools to be amazing individuals and citizens.
This year’s list had a little bit of everything but I wanted to share the life books that I really enjoyed that gave me just enough pep in my step each day to see things differently and offered some new ideas and perspective into my day to day life.
Don’t feel bad about pepping yourself up sometimes- isn’t that what power posing is all about?? This book offers hilariously inspiring stories, sage advice, easy exercises, and the occasional swear word to help you stop being self deprecating and change the way you see yourself and your future.
With social media shifting our focus to other people all the time, You Do You reminds you to spend just as time and energy on yourself as you do on other people. If everyone is busy doing ‘their’ thing, shouldn’t you be busy doing yours?? This easy read may be the reminder by your bedside that you need to just do you!
If you are like me and asked yourself if there is more out there for you in this world or this life then author Paul Arden has some words of wisdom for you! He takes on issues as diverse as problem solving, communicating, playing your cards right, making mistakes and creativity- all things I try to tackle each and every day!
Yumi Sakugawa shares a wide range of useful and unexpected tips for looking and feeling better, streamlining and improving your home life. Everything from creating fun and artsy DIY projects that can brighten your living space. Everything from removing dark circles from under your eyes, making cold brew iced coffee at home, throwing the perfect party on a budget, working out at home without a gym membership and (my favorite!) taking the perfect afternoon power nap…and more! You can peek in and out of this book at will and get a whole lot out of it!
Parenting Recommendations
My next two recommendations are heavy on the parenting side of things.
I have two daughters, both are amazing yet incredibly different, one is self motivated, one is not, one is independent, the other is not. I have read both GRIT and The Power of Habit and these books have taught me so much about behaviors that successful people have and where and how they were taught them. It allows parents the freedom to exercise a little tough love to teach your child a lesson – I find tough love to be so hard sometimes. I always make excuses for my kids for example, I think that they don’t understand, or that they are too young, but these books have given me the gumption to challenge them. To my surprise, I have watched the kids step it up. If you need a scientific perspective with a track record on parenting then check these books out, you won’t regret it!
Well I hoped you enjoyed my book recommendations, what did you read this summer?
On a hot summer day in Chicago, five friends set out for a picture perfect lunch on Lake Michigan. Honestly, it felt like that kind of day…storybook or movie perfect. Sonia and I have been long time Chicago girls, but we have met many people who come and go that never made their way onto the iconic Odyssey on Navy Pier. It is not uncommon to take things down the street for granted and think that you will eventually do them. In the spirit of having a #MomsOffDuty moment, we checked out a beautiful lunch cruise aboard the Odyssey on Lake Michigan and boy did we luck out!
The Odyssey has been sailing on Lake Michigan for more than 20 years from Navy Pier which means that the party does NOT stop when you get off the boat. See a full list of things to do at Navy Pier here!
We enjoyed all the ship had to offer including, three chic climate-controlled decks with LED lighting and a lit dance floor, a premium bar menu, vegetarian friendly menu items, and a relaxing rooftop lounge with modern deck furniture. The staff was attentive and courteous (S/O to our server Nick for finding us no matter where we were on the boat).
The Looks:
Rina’s Floral Wrap Skirt is On Sale for $43 here | Sonia’s Floral Dress is $25 (She is wearing a Medium and it is TTS)! and linked here | Rina’s Tie Front Tank is here (size down) | Rina’s Favorite Summer Shoes are True To Size (TTS) and linked here
Sonia’s Black Fox Crossbody is $46 and linked here | Rina’s White Rina Bag comes in all colors and is $42 and is linked here
All in all, we were so grateful to take in the skyline on a day like this and enjoyed the time that we got to spend with some of our closest friends (being #MomsOffDuty of course). We ended our cruise experience on the dance floor where we really let loose!
What is something in your town that you have been meaning to check out?
